Adair First Baptist Church

Jesus ends this most famous sermon with the description of two houses, one built on rock the other built on sand. He says of these houses the one that hears THESE words and does them is built upon rock. The other is one who hears but does not do them. A wise man will live the principles of the Sermon on the Mount.

1. Let your light shine that others may see your good works and glorify God. 5:16

2. Do and teach the scriptures. 5:19

3. Quickly reconcile grievances. 5:23

4. Commit to sexual purity. 5:29

5. Be a man of your word. 5:37

6. Turn the other cheek. 5:39

7. Love your enemies. 5:44

8. Graciously give in private. 6:3

9. Humbly and earnestly pray. 6:6

10. Forgive. 6:14

11. Store up treasures in heaven not on earth. 6:19

12. Don’t be anxious; trust in God. 6:32-33

13. Avoid hypocrisy. 7:5

14. Ask of God. 7:7

15. Take the hard narrow path. 7:13

16. Bear good fruit. 7:19-20

Excruciating pain! You can see it written on every questioning face that recites this phrase wondering where it is in scripture; desperate to find relief from their current misery. The questioning eyes betray a friend, family member or pastor who has so quickly quoted, “You know…. God won’t give you more than you can handle.” You can almost hear their tormented internal screams, “No I don’t know! No I can’t handle this! I just want the struggle to end!”

You need to know that this phrase is not in scripture. It isn’t in a rarely quoted translation. It isn’t even the sentiment found within a popular verse of scripture. It is a shallow and twisted interpretation of 1 Corinthians 10:13. This verse deals with the temptation to commit sin, specifically idolatry. Truth be told, people suffer hardships, persecution, pain, and trials that are far more than they can bear. When this empty platitude is taken off of the shelf, dusted off, and served up to a wounded soul it definitely hurts much more than it helps.

It hurts because it implies that God is the one who has initiated the pain. As the saying goes, it is God who is giving the pain, trial, or persecution. God does in fact punish his children resulting in very painful situations. Never does God torment or send pain just to “toughen up” His kids. Pain, torment, persecution, ridicule, trials, and “evil” are the result of the brokenness of the world in which we live. Satan is working, sin is destroying, and thus mankind is suffering. God loves in spite of sin and God comforts through the pain. God demonstrated His love for us by sending Christ to feel the ultimate pain, the cross, so that we can be brought near to Him, comforted by Him and protected from destruction.

It hurts because it implies that the hearer deserves the pain. Think for a moment how you felt the last time someone told you, “God doesn’t give you more than you can bear.” Many ask, “But what did I do to deserve the pain!” Every sin has a consequence and that consequence is painful, but the inverse of this formula is not true! Every pain is not a consequence of your personal sin. Your pain is often simply that….unremarkable yet unmistakable pain. It is neither deserved nor wanted. It just is.

It hurts because it implies that the hearer is a failure since the weight of the pain is crushing and debilitating. Guilt ends up being the insult added to their injury. Many languish in despair because “good Christians” can bear the weight of the pain. It is then reasonable to conclude, “I must be a bad Christian because I simply cannot bear my current situation.” It is a tragic web of situational pain woven into feelings of bitterness, remorse, and guilt; a trap that renders its victim helpless and hopeless.

It hurts because it allows you to stay separated from your friend’s pain. Just when a friend needs hope and help they receive instead an empty (although well intentioned) platitude. Often people share, “God doesn’t give you more than you can bear” in order to shine a ray of hope when they don’t know what else to say or do. Obviously the intention is to comfort and give hope. So what should a friend do? The pain comes from the distance that this phrase can create. In a sense it exempts you from feeling their pain and walking with them through their ordeal. They receive pity when they need empathy.

Empathy is the answer! Instead of saying, “God won’t give you more than you can bear” please say something like, “Your heart must really hurt right now. I am here to listen if you need to talk.” Listening is almost magical in its healing attributes. Often just knowing that someone understands and cares is soothing beyond understanding. An embrace or appropriate touch is an indication that you are willing to come close and share the weight of the load. Quietly sitting and praying so that a friend will not be alone in their despair offers the very hope that is needed. Why does a hug feel so good in such horrible circumstances? The answer to that question is not nearly as important as recognizing that God gave hugs healing power. As a child of God you have been given divine power to show meaningful love to hurting people. Without doubt if you decide to do these things you will experience much more pain because you will be bearing the pain of those around you. Such practices are far more costly and painful but they are also an exhibition of the love and heart of Jesus.

In Christ,

Dan Lewis

Pastor, Adair FBC

[email protected]

918-706-3476

Most Christians admit that the influence of the church (as well as their own influence) is waning. The typical lament goes a little like this: “What is wrong with this world? It seems like no one cares about God anymore!” Although the lament does shed light on a real problem, it seems that statements like this are not helpful and may even be harmful. “How can I seriously influence my family and friends for the glory of God?” is a much better question. It is better because it recognizes your position in other’s lives, is a statement of power rather than futility, and is a call to action.

God has sovereignly placed you in a family, job, church, or neighborhood to be a person of influence. Some will say, “I don’t want to influence people. I just want to quietly live my life and mind my own business.” I am sorry but that is not how life works. If you believe in the Lordship of God then you are admitting that He is a sovereign King and you are a loyal subject. He has surrounded you with people who are also His subjects but many have not yet admitted that He is Lord. Years ago at a youth conference the speaker called youth to faith in Christ by challenging, “If Jesus isn’t Lord of all He isn’t Lord at all!” Although I understand the thinking behind this statement, it grossly understates the majesty of our King. He is King whether or not you admit, or submit to that fact. So, since He is King, you have been strategically assigned to your church. You are responsible for your family members and friends. You are God’s ambassador to your world.

As God’s ambassador you have an enormous amount of power over the people you influence. Don’t lie to yourself any longer. Your efforts are not futile. You can and must impact your world for God’s glory. In order to become an influencer rather than just being influenced you need to understand how influence works. First, influence is earned. Some will allow you to shape and mold them merely because of a title. If someone calls you mom, dad, boss or pastor you have a unique opportunity to develop that individual. But few will allow you to exert influence only because of a tile and even those few will tire of your meddling if you do not earn the right to be intimately involved in their lives. If you are consist, determined, and display pure motives you will likely earn the right to give others advice, challenge their misconceptions and expect them to significantly grow.

Second, influence flows downhill. Those you influence will take their relationship with Jesus less seriously than you do. If you don’t take your relationship with Jesus very seriously you are at the bottom of the hill and you will either poorly influence others or you will not be prepared to fulfill your Lord’s call. Again you might attempt to say, “Do I really have to influence people? Why can’t I just stay quiet and fly under the radar?” You may not like it but people are taking their cues from you. They compare their spiritual walk to yours. They compare their worth in this world to yours. You can either be an excuse or an example; it is your choice. Growing in Christ takes hard work but it is worth the effort. Climb the hill! I have learned that the best way to help people grow in Christ is to commit to your own growth. If you are climbing the mountain someone will join you in the climb and the view at the top is always better when it is shared with a loved one.

Third, influence must be nurtured. Influence is not static or constant. Instead it is in constant need of maintenance. Years ago I served in youth ministry and was an influential person in many teenagers’ lives. I was often approached with questions about career choices, marriage, finances, and family issues. The same students that looked to me for advice at pivotal times in life do not ask for advice today. Why? What changed? My influence was not nurtured. They moved out of my sphere of influence or I moved out of their world. Life moved on and the precious moments I had to impact their lives came to an end. It is awesome and humbling to think that I impacted and changed lives for the better. You too can experience that joy.

Dedicate your life to the reckless pursuit of Christ and influence your world. It is extraordinarily satisfying to look back over the years seeing people who are stronger, more dedicated, and passionately in love with Christ simply because you decided to influence their lives. Isn’t it amazing that God uses common people like you and me to shape others into beautiful masterpieces for His glory!

In Christ,

Dan Lewis

Pastor, Adair FBC

The other day during a run I spied a coin on the ground but because I was very close to home I decided to pass by the coin and walk back to retrieve it later. You see I have developed the habit of picking up every coin that I come across because each time I am reminded that God has graciously provided for my every need so I pick the coin up and thank God for His many blessings. I also retrieve the coin because “In God We Trust” is stamped on each and every one and as such I am reminded to revere the name of God never allowing it to be trampled in the dirt like a lost coin.

During my short trip home I instantly felt guilt and remorse. The phrase, “Delayed obedience is disobedience” began ringing in my ears and I felt as though I was dishonoring God with my delay. You see my delay was selfish; I did not want to be inconvenienced so close to the end of my run. I thought, “What if I can’t find the coin?! I only generally know where to look. I should have just picked it up when I had the chance.” I quickly finished the run, grabbed a cup of water and returned to find the coin. On my way back I immediately felt very silly for having such intense feelings of guilt and remorse over such a small thing as picking up a coin. The Word of God doesn’t command me to pick up the coins it is just something I feel compelled to do. I then understood the hurt caused by the phrase, “Delayed obedience is disobedience.”

You see “Delayed obedience is disobedience” is a commonly heard phrase in and around church services, bible studies, and coffee shop discussions. No, it may not always take this form but the sentiment is routinely preached and rightly so (to some extent). The truth is simple and pure; God desires unquestioning, determined, dedicated obedience and condemns stubborn, hard hearted, disobedience. Biblical stories supporting this truth are myriad; Moses, Noah, the desert wanderings, Daniel and his friends, Ester, Ruth, The Wise Men, Peter, Paul and the list goes on. But still the phrase, “Delayed obedience is disobedience” hurts much more than it helps because there is a stinging kernel of truth devoid of the mercy and grace of God.

It hurts because nearly all humans pause, question, or delay before obeying especially when the stakes are high. To insist that we instantly act with no thought questioning or delay is actually to deny how we are created in the image of God. God has given us the ability to think and reason sometimes resulting in a momentary pause and other times an extended wrestling match with God. Since we all pause (at least momentarily) we are needlessly riddled with guilt and anxiety. Certainly God wants you to obey His directions but He is not standing whip in hand hoping for the opportunity to scourge your rebellious heart.

You see, “Delayed obedience is disobedience” hurts by draining the heart filling it with fear rather than filling the heart with passion encouraging obedience. You must ask yourself, “Why does a preacher use such a phrase?” (I am a preacher so I tend to focus on this aspect of every question.) The obvious motivation is to compel people to obedience rather than disobedience, but in nearly every way this phrase is counterproductive. By condemning the delay we are telling the listener that he is disobedient even if, in time, he concluded, “I must do as the Lord commanded.” Furthermore, those who are still questioning, pausing, delaying are often demoralized by the condemnation of their disobedience and so they give up trying. Don’t we want to encourage people to obey rather than discouraging them causing them to give up? If so, the phrase “Delayed obedience is disobedience” ought to be thrown on the scrapheap of trite, empty rhetoric.

The essence of why this type of phrase hurts is because it focuses on legalistic rigidity rather than the peaceful grace of God. It is an attempt to control rather than empower. Sometimes delayed obedience is orchestrated by God in order to teach a greater truth. Because I delayed in retrieving the coin God taught me what it means to obey, to change my mind and focus, to commit to righting wrongs, to desire living in right relationship with Him. Is it possible that God encouraged me to pass by the coin just so He could have a little talk with me during the walk back? I think so.

I think, “God loves obedience” is a more appropriate phrase to use. It gets right to the heart of the matter by saying you can please God by obeying His word, promptings and calling. It also leaves room for delayed obedience while condemning rigid, stiff-necked, disobedience. When your heart, mind, and soul becomes convicted that you need to lay your questions, doubts and fears aside and obediently follow Him God is ready to reward your obedience. If God loves obedience then He loves it even if you must travel to a far country, squander your family inheritance, only to come to your senses and obediently return to His merciful and grace filled home.

When do people experience quiet? Where do they find solitude? Everywhere a radio is blaring, a TV is on or earbuds are drowning out the silence. With all of the noise of life I don’t see how anyone can simply think, pray, discern, or learn. But people are strangely comforted by the noise. They don’t see what it is doing to them and they can’t see what they are missing. Recently I sat in an auditorium with a speaker directly above my head and I became more and more irritated with the incessant noise. Conversely, many find complete silence bothersome or even frightening. The problem; God is often found and heard in the silence. He simply will not shout over and compete with the gods of this world. To shout and compete with them would in a sense validate them accepting them as equals and the one and only God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has no equal; He has no legitimate opponent. He stands alone and welcomes those who will humbly come, listen, and believe. “Be still and know that I am God” (PS 46:10) has so much more significance in light of the noise of this world.

A great time to find silence and solitude is before everyone else in the house is awake. You will find a gentleness and peace during these morning hours that is hard to find elsewhere. You may find that the quietness of nighttime or a simple break in the middle of the day is a more opportune time for you. The time of day is not nearly as important as the consistent practice of finding a solitary quiet place to commune with the Father.

Another glorious opportunity for silence and solitude can be found away from the busyness of “town”. (Farmers have known this secret all of their lives and wonder what the “city folk” see in the cacophony of their existence.) Find a nature trail, the bank of a pond, or a hilltop and visit with the Lord. It isn’t that the Lord is there and absent in the city. You can simply hear Him better in the silence.

So, if you desire to hear from the Lord don’t be afraid of the silence; neither should you avoid it. Instead embrace it. Plan for it. Take life from it. It seems that we subconsciously know quiet and solitude will reveal the sinfulness, depravity, incoherence, and inconstancy found in our minds and hearts. Since this is a painful experience we avoid silence and solitude at all costs. Given time, though, the Lord will use these silent times to forgive our sin, heal our depravity, make sense of our thoughts and create a glorious consistency in our lives. It all starts by embracing “quiet.”

In Christ,

Dan Lewis

Pastor, Adair FBC

[email protected]

918-706-3476

I need to develop courage. I am not sure courage is developed so much as it is sought for, asked for, and received from God. As I am mesmerized by the bravery, passion and intensity of David’s “mighty men,” but as I am now, David would not invite me to be included in this exclusive group….but I have a longing to be just that a “mighty man of God.” David routinely asked the Lord, “Do I fight?” The Lord often gave His blessing so David (with no timidity) fought and won. This leads me to conclude when the victory is sure courage is not lacking. I have subjected myself to a kind of slavery to my own law causing hesitance, uncertainty, insecurity, cowardice. Rules and regulations of decorum, precepts gleaned from books, imperatives received from lectures and sermons; the sum total of my law freezes me in inactivity for fear of breaking a rule or doing something wrong. The result is burying my talent in the sand. The good servant does not burry his talent! So what is a coward to do? Inquire of the Lord! Rest assured that the victory is won! Question all of your rules and reject all that do not get their substance directly from the scriptures. Try! Finally, admit that failure is an option because it is far better to fail than to do nothing.

In Christ,

Dan Lewis

Pastor, Adair FBC

[email protected]

918-706-3476